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The year was 1989...and Donna Summer hadn't had a Top 10 single in 6 years.
It's not that she didn't chart at all--she had a few mid-chart hits along the way--it was more a case of trying to find the perfect tune in a changing musical landscape.
Donna's husband, Bruce Sudano, became a fan of the British producing team of Stock-Aitkin-Waterman (SAW), and suggested she see what they could do for her.
Donna herself was impressed with their work with Rick Astley ("Never Gonna Give You Up"), and before long, she and "SAW" were writing and recording today's Great Song of the '80s: "This "Time I Know it's for Real."
There was a hiccup when David Geffen, the Head Honcho at Donna's label, Geffen Records, wanted a remix with more of a rock sound, but Waterman refused and Geffen canceled Donna's contract. For a record executive known for being quite savvy, this was not a good move.
Bu then again, he owned the company, so he could do what he wanted.
Luckily, Atlantic Records immediately signed Donna to THEIR label, and released "This "Time I Know it's for Real" as the debut single from her next album, "Another Place and Time."
The beginning of the song sounded a bit like a Rick Astley record, but when Donna began to sing, it was a sign that Summer was about to return to the charts.
And that she did--reaching the Top 10 in13 countries, including the US, where it topped the Dance Singles Chart, and climbed to #2 on the Adult Contemporary Chart and #7on the Hot 100!
Donna was back...and this time she knew it was for real! (See what I did there?)
It's a Great Song of 1989!
Tomorrow: Another return to the '70s!
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